Querido Viejo

 

You were the biggest and boldest man. You lived with courage and strength. You carried so much on your back, while others gained from your sacrifices, and you never asked in return. You always held us tight, never sought accolades and cheered on others who little deserved it. You loved us all and we all knew it. This I wrote for you.

Querido Viejo

With every passing night, I saw you slipping away from us, like a rope burning through my hands, I could not hold on. I should not have wanted to hold on. The pain was too great for us both, perhaps that is why we never spoke of it. I was fighting to keep you here. Struggling to let you go. You, were my anchor, I feel as though I am now a ship a drift since you let go.

You have always been my beacon. A bright beam of light that always drew me home. Who will guide me now? Who will be that big bright compass in my life? 

I watched you fight as you were sure to prove them wrong. You fought to the end, my father, my friend. Though we were by your side, you still felt so far away. Your terms were written and like a leaf flying in the wind, I could not catch you, I could not keep you. All I could do was stand there as you drew your last breath and set you free to sail in the wind.

My bones quickly weakened, my mind flooded with grief and the earth stood motionless. Darkness began to set in. Then, like a star in the sky, shinning its brightest, lifting me, I heard your song, I felt you near. We are not the same. We will never be the same but we must go on.

In two short weeks, we let you go, but knowing all along, you did it your way.  Now I pray that when I look up to the stars, you will twinkle brighter until it is my time to be guided home to you.

Mi querido viejo, I miss you. We all do.